« | Isaiah 54 | » |
1 Rejoice, you barren that bear not; break forth and cry, you that does not travail; for more are the children of the desolate than of her that has a husband; for the Lord has said,
2 Enlarge the place of your tent, and of your curtains; fix [the pins], spare not, lengthen your cords, and strengthen your pins;
3 spread forth [your tent] yet to the right and the left; for your seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and you shall make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
4 Fear not, because you have been put to shame, neither be confounded, because you were reproached; for you shall forget your former shame, and shall no more at all remember the reproach of your widowhood.
5 For [it is] the Lord that made you; the Lord of hosts is His name; and He that delivered you, He is the God of Israel, [and] shall be called [so] by the whole earth.
6 The Lord has not called you as a deserted and faint-hearted woman, nor as a woman hated from [her] youth, says your God.
7 For a little while I left you; but with great mercy will I have compassion upon you.
8 In a little wrath I turned away My face from you; but with everlasting mercy will I have compassion upon you, says the Lord that delivers you.
9 From the time of the water of Noah this is My [purpose]; as I swore to him at that time, [saying] of the earth, I will no more be angry with you, neither when you are threatened,
10 shall the mountains depart, nor shall your hills be removed; so neither shall My mercy fail you, nor shall the covenant of your peace be at all removed; for the Lord [who is] gracious to you has spoken [it].
11 Afflicted and outcast, you have not been comforted; behold, I [will] prepare carbuncle [for] your stones, and sapphire for your foundations;
12 and I will make your buttresses jasper, and your gates crystal, and your border precious stones.
13 And [I will cause] all your sons [to be] taught of God, and your children [to be] in great peace.
14 And you shall be built in righteousness; abstain from injustice, and you shall not fear; and trembling shall not come near to you.
15 Behold, strangers shall come to you by Me, and shall sojourn with you, and shall run to you for refuge.
16 Behold, I have created you, not as the coppersmith blowing coals, and bringing out a vessel [fit] for work; but I have created you, not for ruin, that [I] should destroy [you].
17 I will not allow any weapon formed against you to prosper; and every voice that shall rise up against you for judgment, you shall vanquish them all; and your adversaries shall be [condemned] thereby. There is an inheritance to them that serve the Lord, and you shall be righteous before Me, says the Lord.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.